Newt: Would ABC ever air a show that portrays Muslims the way “GCB” portrays Christians?

posted at 2:30 pm on March 11, 2012 by Tina Korbe

In an appearance on Fox News this morning, Newt Gingrich returned to his roots; he called out the double standard of the mainstream media — and to good effect. The subject of his judgment this time? ABC’s new TV show, “GCB,” based on the novel “Good Christian Bitches.” From Politico:

“Here’s to show you the biases of the elite media, look at the new show that’s on that has the word ‘Christian’ in it and I want you to take the exact name, drop out Christian and put in Muslim,” Gingrich said. “And ask yourself, is there any network that would have dared to run a show like that and you know the answer is not a one because anti-Christian bigotry is just fine in the entertainment industry but they have to be very protective of Islam.”

The entire show crosses the line. It tries to cross the line. It begins with a California man driving frantically for the Mexican border with his mistress and a mountain of stolen cash. But the mistress decides to perform a sex act on him while he drives, leading to a fatal car crash. That’s what spurs the lead character, Amanda – now a widow — to return to Dallas to live with her wealthy mother, played by Annie Potts.

Potts is second only to Chenoweth in spitting out cynical conservative “Christian” one-liners. She tells her daughter California is inferior to Texas because “we’ve got the same weather without the liberals.” She tells her daughter if she needs rehab to avoid the Baptists (“folding chairs”) and try the Episcopalians (“upholstered, with canapes.”) She says “cut the commie crap” when Amanda tries to keep her children from going to church. At episode’s end, she declares, “I feel confident the Good Lord would like me to have a new fur coat. God often speaks to me through Christian Dior.”

Anyone wasting a whole hour waiting for one good character would place their hopes on widowed Amanda, played by the actress Leslie Bibb. For most of the show, she’s renouncing how badly she behaved in high school and wants a job to pay for her own house. But when she can’t find a job, we get a ridiculous 180-degree turn. She starts working at a Hooters-aping restaurant called “Boobylicious,” which she discovers is owned by Chenoweth’s husband.

This badly contrived plot sets up the final battle of the GCBs. When Chenoweth protests “we live in a righteous community,” Bibb’s character rips up Dallas. “Fun fact. Dallas has more churches per capita than anywhere on earth. Also, Dallas has more strip clubs per capita than anywhere on earth. Two plus two equals a double standard.”

Actually, because I haven’t seen the show, I can’t say definitively that I think it unfairly bashes Christians. I’m inclined to give it a chance if for no other reason than that it stars Kristen Chenoweth, one of my all-time favorite singers and actresses. (The highlight of the Oklahoma City Thunder season, as far as I’m concerned, was Chenoweth’s rendition of the national anthem at the first Thunder-Mavericks matchup!) Chenoweth is open about her own Christianity. This is her defense of the show: “I’m a Christian, I think that’s pretty well known, and I would never do anything that I think crossed the line.” She lovingly calls it “Good Christian Belles.”

Still, Bozell’s examples are pretty compelling — and Newt’s point resonates, too. While, in a way, Christians can’t help but be hypocrites at one time or another (none of us lives up to Christ’s standards perfectly!), it’s discouraging that ABC would air a show that cynically emphasizes that. In any treatment of Christianity, acknowledgment of and respect for the truth that Christians aren’t relying on themselves for sanctification would be nice.

Blowback

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Is there a double standard? Of course there is. The the double standard of liberal Hollywood shouldn’t be your concern. The double standard that should concern you is your own.

keep the change on March 11, 2012 at 3:47 PM

Ahhhh, using the excuse of an offense against a group to create a completly hypothetical narrative about that group based entirely upon your own prejudices and then citing that narrative to lauch non sequiter attacks against them. The purpose being to reinforce those prejudices in yourself and others.

There is a phrase for this in formalized logic. I believe it’s known as being a complete and utter tool.

When they explode in markets, when they murder, rape and and act like seventh century savages.

By the 7th Century, public stoning without trial was out of favor in most of the “civilized” world, such as it was. Islam spread by the sword and gained its greatest reach while learning and moral leadership were in hiding in Europe. After the Renaissance, the rollback of the Caliphate was inevitable.

The remarkable thing is that we’ve voluntarily enabled the scourge again. British and American Oil companies, urged by their governments to get leases from a sovereign before extracting the oil they found in No Man’s Land, convinced the nomadic barbarians who happened to be passing through that stretch of desert while the foreigners were there that they were the owners of the land, and in fact Kings.

If they had only shooed them away and drilled for themselves without “permission,” we wouldn’t be facing well-financed murder cults today.

No consequences. It’s not so much that the media is “protective” of islam, but rather they know the consequences of doing anything other than praising islam. Muslims don’t take any chit when it comes to their religion. They’ll blow chit up, burn chit down, kill people, cut off heads, chunk rocks, smite necks, show up in pack mobs and they don’t forget.

The media is well aware of this, and appreciates being able to live, so they wouldn’t dare do anything to upset muslims.

George Tiller found out how are he could push things. I suspect a whole lot of people in America are feeling “pushed” beyond their ability to put up with it much longer.

Christians can’t help but be hypocrites at one time or another (none of us lives up to Christ’s standards perfectly!)

No, no, no, no, No, NO, NO!

That is not, I repeat, NOT, hypocrisy. You are falling into a trap of the Left. They love to scream hypocrite when there is no hypocrisy to be found.

Not living up to the standards you espouse, and believe in, is not hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is espousing views you do not believe.

So if some good Christian conservative married man is caught cheating on his wife, that is not, NOT, hypocrisy unless that man doesn’t believe in fidelity in marriage and/or marriage and yet claims that he does believe.

One woman wages a campaign to force religious organizations to provide contraception etc. and is called a sl*t and the left goes crazy with outrage. Hollywood applies a derogatory term towards many women in Dallas and it’s no big deal. So now we know, sl*t = bad and B*tch = no big deal.

These rules of etiquette are getting confusing. Hopefully, the democratic keepers of the language are planning on issuing a guide to correct language soon.

Ibanez Lotus on March 11, 2012 at 4:36 PM

You need to tune in to the “Sluts Unite” thread. Slut does not = bad, apparently.

The remarkable thing is that we’ve voluntarily enabled the scourge again. British and American Oil companies, urged by their governments to get leases from a sovereign before extracting the oil they found in No Man’s Land, convinced the nomadic barbarians who happened to be passing through that stretch of desert while the foreigners were there that they were the owners of the land, and in fact Kings.

If they had only shooed them away and drilled for themselves without “permission,” we wouldn’t be facing well-financed murder cults today.

Adjoran on March 11, 2012 at 4:40 PM

The problem with that is that such colonies need to be maintained by the unsentimental application of force. We could easily do it right, now but it will never happen because acting in our own self interest has become the Eight Deadly Sin for the western world. We are our own worst enemy, and we put a great deal of effort in helping those who wish to see us to an early grave.

Having watched the episode for the same reason Tina said she might watch (to see Kristen Chenoweth), I would say you might think it’s funny if…you like mocking Christians, Texas, Jr. League types, and/or Republicans/conservatives. Overall, pretty shallow and not all that clever. Disappointed in Chenoweth. Expected better.

I just watched five minutes of the show online. It manages to be simultaneously insipid AND insulting. THIS is what passes for television entertainment today? The minds of viewers who would watch this drivel must be absolutely feeble, if not vacant. I have not turned on a TV since 1992 when my daughter was born. I don’t miss wasting my time watching it. I regret misusing those five minutes today.

You need to tune in to the “Sluts Unite” thread. Slut does not = bad, apparently.

I haven’t checked that thread out. So now I’m really confused. Rush calls a woman a slut on air and the President of the United States gets involved and the left vents their moral outrage. In this instance slut is bad. A group of women get together and call themselves sluts united and now the word is acceptable? So what they are saying is that if conservatives use the term it’s a bad word, but it’s ok for liberals to use the word. I’ve always thought that it was a derogatory term regardless of religion or political party.

It’s like the n word. All my life I’ve been told that this is a derogatory term and it is wrong to use it. I agree that it is derogatory and yet certain groups use this word to describe each other and it is ok.

Let me get this straight: Chenoweth claims to be a Christian, but chose to be the star actress of a show called Good Christian Bitches that portrays Christians as evil, money-grabbing hypocrites (judging from the article). I haven’t met her, but I’m skeptical as to her commitment to walking the walk. Christians are bashed enough without those who wear the name pushing liberal anti-Christian bigotry.

Pattosensei on March 11, 2012 at 2:46 PM

“Ye shall know them by their fruits” Many people can talk, but it’s their walk that counts. Doesn’t matter if it’s Christianity or Politics.

On Wednesday, White House officials reportedly called on dozens of nonprofit leaders good, Christian b * tches to aid them in organizing a prayer vigil outside the court – right when justices plan to hear arguments ( re:Obamacare) for three days beginning March 26.
/s

OldChick on March 11, 2012 at 2:59 PM

Well, my Bible tells me what prayers God will hear and those he won’t.

So far nobody has denied my assertion that a show showing muslims in the same negative light would not be equally attacked. You’d love to watch that show. At Hotair, islam is spoken of the way Judaism is spoken of Stormfront. Of course, the people at Stormfront are racists, and you guys are righteous warriors. Yes, I get. You are fighting a culture war for the future of America until Christ can come and send them all to hell for good. Super. But your protestations are not based on the ideal that no religion would be mocked, but rather, on the grievance that Christianity is being mocked and not islam. I’d go one further. If Hollywood mocked Islam, but also mocked Christianity, you’d still be upset.

The fact is, regardless of Hollywood’s double standard, you have your own double standard.

Your willingness to tolerate Islamic intolerance is in fact the double standard. Y

You have reading comprehension issues. And anger issues. Typical right-wing “christian”. Islam is a terrible religion. Everybody should know that. That is not the point. The point is being upset that somebody is mocking your religion, and not the religion you want them to mock, is hypocritical. And highly unChrist-like. But then again, most “christians” are unChristlike. For them, the religion is political and cultural. Just as it is with the islamists.

The fact is, regardless of Hollywood’s double standard, you have your own double standard.

keep the change on March 11, 2012 at 5:21 PM

Like all liberals you have a problem with reality.

So far nobody has denied my assertion that a show showing muslims in the same negative light would not be equally attacked.

We would be fine with a program that attacks communism and not thrilled with one that attacks democracy. That isn’t a double standard, its an acknowledgment of reality. Not all things are equal in this world. I know thats a difficult concept for a liberal who has been trained to believe that all judgments should be suspended, but there it is.

But your protestations are not based on the ideal that no religion would be mocked, but rather, on the grievance that Christianity is being mocked and not islam.

The moral equivalence you want to force between Christianity and Islam simply doesn’t exist, and even a cursory glance at history, current events or even a little independent thought would inform you of that.

The real difference is that Christians worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God as the Saviour of the world. And from that belief comes the fruits which among them are the tolerance and forgiveness you speak of.

This persecution of Christians is nothing new, since it began in New Testament times. Same thing, different players.

You have reading comprehension issues. And anger issues. Typical right-wing “christian”. Islam is a terrible religion. Everybody should know that. That is not the point.

keep the change on March 11, 2012 at 5:30 PM

Yes, actually THAT IS THE POINT.

Like all liberals you have an affinity for murderous thugs. Be it the International Socialist of Russia, the National Socialists of Germany (before that became uncool), later Mao, Castro, Che Guevara, and now its the liberals riding to the defense of Islam.

Chenoweth is open about her own Christianity. This is her defense of the show: “I’m a Christian, I think that’s pretty well known, and I would never do anything that I think crossed the line.” She lovingly calls it “Good Christian Belles.”

If Kristen C. is a saint, as she claims, then why does an image search (I didn’t know who she is) reveal lots & lots of slutty (to borrow Rush’s term) poses?

The USA if chock full of CINOs (Christians in name only).

70% of us claim to be Christian, yet we kill millions of our own kids legally, our TV/movies/magazines are mostly profane/slutty junk, & you’re far more likely to hear “God” or Jesus” irreverently than reverently on the street, at work, or in our homes.

I don’t know Kristen’s status, whether she’s at peace with God, but for her to be a part of this mockery of faith, well, it would seem that it does not please God.

You have reading comprehension issues. And anger issues. Typical right-wing “christian”. Islam is a terrible religion. Everybody should know that. That is not the point. The point is being upset that somebody is mocking your religion, and not the religion you want them to mock, is hypocritical. And highly unChrist-like. But then again, most “christians” are unChristlike. For them, the religion is political and cultural. Just as it is with the islamists.

keep the change on March 11, 2012 at 5:30 PM

Your response is hilarious. Others here can tell you I am far from being a “typical right-wing ‘christian.’”

That Islam is a terrible religion is precisely the point. The idea you seem to have that people should not be upset when their religion is mocked is ludicrous. Of course many of them are upset. Being upset does not make one intolerant.

Use your brain. Look at what really is intolerance and what really is not. Tolerance is not acceptance. It is tolerance. Almost all Christians, including most on this thread, are highly tolerant. That does not mean they have to not be offended. Tolerance is being offended but not doing anything about it beyond expressing your disdain.

Hollywood and lefties like to bash Christians. Except for boycotts that hit the profit margin, they’re an easy target. It’s also amazing how many people on the left think that being a Christian means being perfect and without sin. I have many flaws and my Christian faith helps me try to correct these flaws so that I can be a better person.

I’d like to see Hollywood do a real edgy show about nice Christians who help people in the name of Christ. Now that would be a challenge for them. There are Christian groups right now that are helping tornado victims, flood victims, hurricane victims to rebuild their communities.

After a tornado hit our town, most help came from Christian churches (this includes Catholics and Mormons for those who think of them as separate from Christians). The government helped with infrastructure and protection, but most of the clean-up was done by Christian groups. A Christian group came from 500 miles away and helped clean up the debris and downed trees. Another Christian group from Tennessee helped pass out tarps and chainsaws. Several church groups, some hundreds of miles away, came and provided food. Christian neighbors opened up their homes to those who had no place to stay.

That doesn’t mean that others didn’t donate to the relief organizations and their help is greatly appreciated. However, the outpouring of help from Christians across the country was stunning for me and very up-lifting.

Like all liberals you have an affinity for murderous thugs. Be it the International Socialist of Russia, the National Socialists of Germany (before that became uncool), later Mao, Castro, Che Guevara, and now its the liberals riding to the defense of Islam.

sharrukin on March 11, 2012 at 5:36 PM

You make a good point. I don’t recall those thugs to have had any particular Religion at all.

My belief is that man doesn’t define his Religion; his Religion defines man.

“Ye shall know them by their fruits” Many people can talk, but it’s their walk that counts. Doesn’t matter if it’s Christianity or Politics.

bluefox on March 11, 2012 at 5:06 PM

Indeed.
Re. the “politics” line, sadly, there are lots of professing saints commenting here at HotAir who use profanity, who are hot-tempered, & who insult anyone who disagrees with them.
Not much fruit of the Spirit there.

Let me get this straight: Chenoweth claims to be a Christian, but chose to be the star actress of a show called Good Christian Bitches that portrays Christians as evil, money-grabbing hypocrites (judging from the article). I haven’t met her, but I’m skeptical as to her commitment to walking the walk. Christians are bashed enough without those who wear the name pushing liberal anti-Christian bigotry.

Pattosensei on March 11, 2012 at 2:46 PM

She’s a HOLLYWOOD Christian.

You know the kind where you show your breasts, do nude scenes, sex scenes with many fellow actors, do drugs, trash Conservatives, appear on People and US Weekly covers, show up on Entertainment Tonight or TMZ and then you get on stage at the award shows and the first thing out of your mouth is “I’d like to thank God for……” and then you grab a bottle of scotch at the after-party and do two or three of your co-stars on the way back to the condo.

Use your brain. Look at what really is intolerance and what really is not. Tolerance is not acceptance. It is tolerance. Almost all Christians, including most on this thread, are highly tolerant. That does not mean they have to not be offended. Tolerance is being offended but not doing anything about it beyond expressing your disdain.

You make a good point. I don’t recall those thugs to have had any particular Religion at all.

They are self-loathing, anti-western fanatics who embrace anyone who wishes to bury the west.

My belief is that man doesn’t define his Religion; his Religion defines man.

bluefox on March 11, 2012 at 5:42 PM

I think that culture has a significant influence on how certain aspects of religion are expressed, but religion is a powerful force and like ideologies, they have different effects. Fascism is not the same as Republicanism, and Islam is not the same as Christianity.

That doesn’t mean that others didn’t donate to the relief organizations and their help is greatly appreciated. However, the outpouring of help from Christians across the country was stunning for me and very up-lifting.

Ibanez Lotus on March 11, 2012 at 5:38 PM

I think we’ve seen this time and time again when disaster strikes.
We just had a group collecting donations locally and left Saturday morning headed to KY. Many had lost everything as others had across the States.

Glad you recognized the help, since they are the ones that immediately do so. God Bless them and those that need the help.

Indeed.
Re. the “politics” line, sadly, there are lots of professing saints commenting here at HotAir who use profanity, who are hot-tempered, & who insult anyone who disagrees with them.
Not much fruit of the Spirit there.

itsnotaboutme on March 11, 2012 at 5:44 PM

I think the discussions do get heated at times but those of Faith must be more careful to not offend. Sometimes it’s trying tho to not say things you shouldn’t. That is where Patience, one of the Fruits of the Spirit is needed:-)

The Left loves to make fun of Christian “hypocrites” who don’t live up to the teachings. But they also love to mock those who DO and call them “fanatics.” For them, the only “good” Christian is one who publicly rejects Christianity or, at least, is willing to join in the mockery of other Christians.

As Christians we can’t judge one another’s hearts, but we can & should examine outward lives. Why does Chenoweth believe that she’s a Christian? Is it because she grew up in the church? Is it because she’s a nice person? Those things do not make someone a Christian. Additionally, her personal mission is not really what Christians are supposed to be doing.

So I’m a bit skeptical of her claims of being a Christian, since she’s the star of this show but more for the points above. Full disclosure: I have no interest in watching the show.

That doesn’t mean that others didn’t donate to the relief organizations and their help is greatly appreciated. However, the outpouring of help from Christians across the country was stunning for me and very up-lifting.

Ibanez Lotus on March 11, 2012 at 5:38 PM

I think we’ve seen this time and time again when disaster strikes.
We just had a group collecting donations locally and left Saturday morning headed to KY. Many had lost everything as others had across the States.

Glad you recognized the help, since they are the ones that immediately do so. God Bless them and those that need the help.

bluefox on March 11, 2012 at 6:11 PM

God Bless them indeed! Help came pouring in from all over the country. The group that helped clean our property were from St. Louis and they were all so nice. They wanted no money, they just wanted to make the mess the tornado left go away. We originally told them that there were others that were worse off and they should help them first. They said they started at the perimeter of damage and worked their way in. The more damaged areas still had to be checked for gas leaks and down power lines removed. After it took us four hours to cut up and move 1 large pine tree, we were very happy to have their help. In one day they had cleared up the debris of over 25 trees.

Bozell’s a sanctimonious idiot…he can’t watch Glee or Family Guy without getting hid panties in a wad.

That said, I watched the GCB pilot and it sucked big time. Don’t watch it just because it’s about fake Christian b!tches…don’t watch it cause it sucks – not near the fun of Desperate Housewives or the cleverness of Jersey effin’ Shore.

We should encourage nationally known conservatives to demand that the FCC kick ABC of the air for running “Good Christian Bitches”!!! Let the world see the Progressive/Regressive’s for the hypocrites they blatantly are. That what Andrew Breitbart would do!!!

So I’m a bit skeptical of her claims of being a Christian, since she’s the star of this show but more for the points above. Full disclosure: I have no interest in watching the show.

22044 on March 11, 2012 at 6:35 PM

I’m not a Hollywood fan and have no idea who this person is. Not in my circle:-)
I really don’t know what purpose this person was trying to make saying she was a Christian anyway. A Christian’s life and what they do should speak for itself. Better for other’s to attest to your character than yourself. Just my opinion.

That’s amazing that people came from everywhere and so far away also. God hears prayers and sends His people to help. Some may not be able to travel but help in other ways. We need to be reminded of the but for the Grace of God, go I.

I heard from a family member from MO that went to Joplin and said the pictures could not describe the destruction.

You know what’s sad.. in the old days of SNL, I could see them doing a skit called “GMB” where a bunch of Saudi women in full hijab would be complaining about the “slut” who moved to Jordan, then moved back. And at the end they stoned the other woman.

It would be funny because it’s true, and that’s what the old SNL was good at.

The critique is “thou shalt tell the truth about whichever religion you’re discussing.” It’s no inconsistency to cheer when Islam is truthfully portrayed, yet complain when Christianity is not. Should we pretend they’re morally equivalent? One is the truth, exclusively.

I’m inclined to give it a chance if for no other reason than that it stars Kristen Chenoweth, one of my all-time favorite singers and actresses. … Chenoweth is open about her own Christianity. This is her defense of the show: “I’m a Christian, I think that’s pretty well known, and I would never do anything that I think crossed the line.” She lovingly calls it “Good Christian Belles.”

The imaginary or at best blown out of proportion threat? This isn’t Denmark or Norway. The American muslims resorted to a couple of condemnation letters when Koran burning was all the rage over here. They didn’t even care when the accidental burning happened in Afghanistan. Everyone is still free to criticize or make fun of muslims, as hypocrite liar Newt and many others in media are doing while saying it’s not doable. We have and will keep our freedoms regardless of a$$hats like Newt claiming otherwise.

Do you liberals have to take special courses to get this stupid?

sharrukin on March 11, 2012 at 3:11 PM
Not at all. Reading your comments and listening to Newt will do.

lester on March 11, 2012 at 3:27 PM

Ahhhhhh. That explains it. The reason that woman who started the “draw Mohammed” movement disappeared into the witness protection program. Texas Baptists were after her.

You recall the bomb in Times Square? In response to Mohammed being portrayed in a bear suit? More Texas Baptists?

The title alone is a biased slant on Christianity. “Good Christian” and “Bitches” cannot coexist in the same phrase to begin with. You are either a good Christian or a bitch, never both at the same time.

It’s really a sad commentary to the society with decaying sense of moral decency.